ONE Lexington’s 2024 annual report was released today, showing a reduction in gun violence in Lexington. The report was presented to the Urban County Council at today’s Work Session. “Our ONE Lexington team continues the intense, purposeful work of supporting the victims of gun violence, and working with our community’s youth and young adults,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Over the past few years, our city has seen a decrease in gun violence, especially among our youth and young adults. ONE Lexington’s multi-tiered approach, in coordination with the Lexington Police Department, is making a difference in the lives of many in Lexington.” ONE Lexington strives to treat the root causes of gun violence in the youth and young adult population. Last year saw a 10 percent decrease in homicides and a 68 percent decrease in reported shooting victims among victims ages 10 to 29 years. “At the Lexington Police Department, we have seen the impact ONE Lexington’s work has had on the community and are proud to continue to support their efforts,” said Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers. “The ONE Lexington P.I.E.R. Model of Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement, and Re-Entry has shown to be an effective and efficient way to promote a continuum of care philosophy in seeking to reduce violence.” “The model focuses on continuous government and community partnerships to meet people where they are, addressing individual, systemic, and quality of life concerns,” Weathers said. “ONE Lexington’s philosophy focuses on treating the root causes, which leads to pathways for reducing, and hopefully curing violence, thus creating happy and healthier lives for all of us.” The work of ONE Lexington is built around strong community partnerships. Together, these community organizations and ONE Lexington provide support to survivors of gun violence, including crisis response, community outreach, relocation services, utility and rent support, mental health and trauma support, and more. “2024 saw the lowest number of shootings and homicides in Lexington since 2015,” said Director of ONE Lexington Devine Carama. “This progress can’t be attributed to any one organization or strategy, but we do believe the ‘all hearts on deck’ approach by Mayor Gorton and the city’s violence prevention ecosystem is making a difference.” In 2024, ONE Lexington distributed $100,000 in Violence Prevention Grants to local nonprofits that support those affected by gun violence. Additionally, the program works with, and provides support to, Fayette County Public Schools Family Resource and Youth Centers. Through the “Building Bridges to Opportunity” program, supported through a $500,000 Kentucky “Everybody Counts” grant, scholarships and ONE Lexington support services have helped young adults pursuing higher education and non-traditional post-secondary skills development. Two $10,000 scholarships were offered at each Fayette County Public Schools high school for seniors who are students of color wishing to pursue degrees in criminal justice, public safety, education, or mental health fields. The program also provides trauma-informed care services, enhanced in-school mentoring, and additional programming to support those affected by gun violence. ONE Lexington, in partnership with Galls of Lexington and Central Bank, also awarded $10,000 scholarships to two Bryan Station High School seniors pursuing careers in criminal justice or a related degree. “As we enter 2025, ONE Lexington and the city want to build on that progress by updating the city’s ‘Strategic Plan to Address Youth & Young Adult Gun Violence’,” Carama said. “We will do this through a series of community forums, youth surveys, and a citywide strategic planning session. Our goal is to transition from a continuum of care to perpetual possibility for our most vulnerable young people.” Learn more about ONE Lexington and the 2024 Annual Report, as well as previous reports, by visiting www.lexingtonky.gov/government/mayors-office/one-lexington/one-lexington-reports. The post ONE Lexington releases 2024 annual report appeared first on The Lexington Times.